Bryan Wood charged in connection with the May 6 fire

A Lewiston man charged with arson in connection with a May 6 fire that destroyed two buildings and damaged a third is not competent to stand trial. Bryan Wood’s attorney, Steven Carey, told WMTW News 8 in an email that a Superior Court judge ruled Wood “incompetent to stand trial and that there does not exist a substantial probability that he will become competent in the foreseeable future.”

Wood, 23, along with Brian Morin, 30, is facing three counts of arson for the May 6 fire that destroyed 114 and 118 Bartlett St. and damaged a building at 91 Horton St.

Carey said three forensic psychologists testified that Wood was “unable to demonstrate the minimal skills ordinarily associated with competence to proceed and that his cognitive difficulties are not remediable.” According to Carey, the District Attorney’s Office did not offer any expert testimony during the hearing.

Wood maintains his innocence and according to Carey has denied any involvement during police interviews and in recorded conversations with acquaintances.

Wood was living nearby the site of the fire at 131 Bartlett St. at the time. Morin, a transient, was living with him, according to police.

Police believe Wood and Morin set the fire because they were upset with the property owners for letting the properties fall into disrepair.

The fire on May 6 was the third in a string of arsons in the downtown Lewiston area but was unrelated to the first two fires. According to police, each of the earlier fires was set by a different 12-year-old boy. Both boys are also facing arson charges.